Domestic appliance



June 1, 1948. CANDQR 2,442,397

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE Filed Feb. 23, 1945 VENTDR 1362:? (E /wool;

a 2 BY Patented June 1, 1948 2,442,397 noMEs'rrc APPLIANCE Robert B. Candor, akwood,-0hio, assiznor to General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application February 23, 1945, Serial No. 519,411

13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to domestic appliances, and more particularly to counterbalancing means for a rotatable device, such as a centrifugal washing machine.

An object of this invention is to provide counterbalancing loose rings, or weights, which are locked in place to rotate with the device in coaxial relationship while the device rotates below critical speed, and which are released to rotate loosely with the device above critical speed automatically to counterbalance the device above critical speed.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,.wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-section of a washing machine embodying my invention, taken along the line ll ofFig. 3;

Fig, 2 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 3; and

Fig.3 is a horizontal cross-section taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1.

A machine embodying features of my invention may include a rotatable device or receptacle 30 which is rotatably supported on the flexible support or collar Ill. The device 30 may be rotated by means of a motor i9, carried in a casing l8 together with a transmission 20. The casing I8 is supported on the support or rubber collar Iii by means of a platform II. The transmission 20 rotates the sleeve 2|, which is fixedly secured to the receptacle 30. A snubber 50 is provided.

If the machine is a centrifugal washing machine, the receptacle 30 may be provided with an inner perforated cup 3! inside of which is an agitator 23 supported on a vertically reciprocable shaft 22. If desired, the agitator 23 may have .a. flexible rim 24 to impart a toroidal circulation to the liquid in the receptacle 30.

All of the foregoing parts may be substantially identical with similar parts disclosed in the patent to Kendall Clark 2,366,236, patented January 2, 1945.

My novel counterbalancing means may include a frictional platform 40 which is fixedly connected with the receptacle 30 by means of the inverted funnel-shaped support 4|. A plurality of counterbalancing elements such as loose rings or weights 42 and 43 rest on the platform 40 and are adapted to rotate with the receptacle 30 by reason of the friction between the parts.

' Means are provided to lock the rings 42 and 43 in coaxial relation with the device while it rotates below critical speed and to release the rings when the device rotates above critical speed. To this end, a plurality of levers 44 are iulcrumed at 45 on lugs 46 carried by the support 4i. These levers are provided with centrifugal weights 41 at their upper end, while their lower ends 48 engage the rings 42 and 43 to maintain the rings in coaxial relationship while the device rotates below critical speed. A ring i2 isfixed to the support 4|, and carries the lugs 46, and is slotted at l3 to receive the lower ends 48 of the levers. The inner surfaces ll, of the slots l 3, form limiting stops for the levers 44.

Snap-acting means are provided to hold the levers 44 in looking relationship while the device rotatw below critical speed, and to release the levers when the device rotates above critical speed. To this end a plurality of springs 49 are secured to the eyelets 52 on the support 4|, and

are slidably hooked in the slots Si in the arms 44 which are thereby biased in their holding position. The angle of the slots 5| is such that the springs 49 are at the upper end of the slots 5| while the device is stationary or rotating below critical speed. As the device accelerates above critical speed, the arms 44 fly outwardly a slight distance, until the slots 5i pass their vertical position, at which time the springs 49 snap to the lower end of the slots 5|, thus reducing the leverage of the springs 49 relatively to the fulcrums 45. This causes the levers 44 to fly outward to their outermost position to release the rings 42 and 43, so that the rings are effective to counterbalance the receptacle 30 above the critical speed.

Loose rings, similar to rings 42 and 43, but without locking means, have been used heretofore; but they are objectionable because they tend to fly out in the same direction as the center of gravity of the unbalanced load below critical speed. This aggravates the total unbalanced load below critical speed and causes an aggravated vibration at critical speed. The. centrifugal levers 44 prevent the rings 42 and 43 from flying out below critical speed and this overcomes the objection heretofore present in the use of loose rings.

In the operation of the device, clothes and liquid are placed in the receptacles 30 and 3|. The motor and transmission 20 are energized to reciprocate the agitator 23 vertically, thus creating a toroidal circulation of liquid, as indicated by the arrows '60. After a suitable length of time, the

motor and transmission are energized to rotate the receptacles II and SI. Liquid then flows through the openings GI and over the rim 83 of the outer receptacle to the sump 82 from whence it flows through a. pipe 63 to the pump II and thence through the discharge pipe 28.

' The clothes in the receptacle 3| are quite likely to be in an unsymmetrical condition, and this creates an unbalanced load in the receptacle. As the receptacles accelerate, they reach a critical speed, established by the period of vibration on While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, as may come within the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A machine comprising a rotatable device, a support for said device upon which said device has a critical speed of rotation, means for rotatably accelerating said device from below said critical speed, through sud critical speed and above said critical speed, counterbalancing rings loosely carried to rotate coaxially and individually non-coaxially with said device, and a lever structure biased to lock said rings in coaxial relation to said device while said device rotates below and at said critical speed said structure including means to cause release of said rings for individual non;- coaxiai rotation when said device rotates above said critical speed.

2. A machine comprising a rotatable device, a support for said device upon which said device has a critical speed of rotation, means for rotatably accelerating said device from below said critical speed, through said critical speed and above said critical speed, counterbalancing rings loosely carried to rotate coaxially and individually non-ooaxially with said device, and centrifugally controlled means to lock said rings in coaxial relation to said device while said device rotates below and at said critical speed and to release said rings for individual non-coaxial rotation when said device rotates above said critical speed.

3. A machine comprising a rotatable device, a support for said device upon which said device has a critical speed of rotation, means for rotatably accelerating said device from below said critical speed, through said critical speed and above said critical speed, counterbalancing rings loosely carried to rotate coaxially and individually non-coaxially with said device, and centrifugally controlled levers and springs to lock said rings in coaxial relation to said device while said device rotates below and at said critical speed and to release said rings for individual non-coaxial rotation when said device rotates above said critical speed.

4. A machine comprising a rotatable device, a support for said device upon which said device has a critical speed of rotation, a frictional platform secured to rotate with said device, counterbalancing weights loosely carried by said platform to rotate coaxially and individually noncoaxially withsaiddevieaandastructm'o actuatedoutofsynchronismwiththestartingand stopp of said rotatable device to lock said weights in coaxial relation to said device while said device rotates below said critical speed and to release said weights for loose non-coaxial rotation wh'en said device rotates above said critical speed.

5. A machine comprising a rotatable device, a support for said device upon which said device has a critical speed of rotation, a frictional platform secured to rotate with said device. counterbalancing weights loosely carried by said platform to rotatecoaxially and individually non-e coaxially with said device and centriiugally actuated means to lock said weights in coaxial relation to said device while said device rotates below said critical speed and to release said weights for loose non-coaxial rotation when said device rotates above said critical speed.

6. A machine comprising a rotatable device, a support for said device upon which said device has a critical speed of rotation, a frictional platform secured to rotate with said device, counterbalancingweights loosely carried by said platform to rotate coaxially and individually noncoaxially with said device, and centrifugally controlled means to lock said weights in coaxial relation to said device while said device rotates below' said critical speed and to release said weights for loose non-coaxial rotation when said device rotates above said critical speed.

7. A machine comprising-a rotatable device, a support for said device upon which said device has a critical speed of rotation, means for retatably accelerating said device from below said critical speed, through said critical speed and above said critical speed, counterbalancing rings loosely carried to rotate coaxially and individually non-coaxially with said device, and centrifugally actuated snap-acting means to lock said rings in coaxial relation to said device while said device rotates below and at said critical speed and to release said rings for individual non-coaxial rotation when said device rotates above said critical speed.

8. A machine comprising a rotatable device, a support for said device upon which said device has a critical speed of rotation, means for rotatably accelerating said device from below said critical speed, through said critical speed and above said critical speed, counterbalancing rings loosely carried to rotate coaxially and individually non-coaxially with said device, and means comprising snap-acting levers to lock said rings in coaxial relation to said device while said de. vice rotates below and at said critical speed and centrifugal means to release said rings for individual non-coaxial rotation when said device rotates above said critical speed.

9. A machine comprising a rotatable device, a support for said device upon which said device has a critical speed of rotation, a frictional platform secured to rotate with said device, counterbalancing weights loosely carried by said platform to rotate coaxially and individually noncoaxially with said device, and centrifugally actuated snap-acting means to lock said weights in coaxial relation to said device while said device rotates below said critical speed and to release said weights for loose non-coaxial rotation when said device rotates above said critical speed.

10. A machine comprising a rotatable device.

a support for said device upon which said device has a critical speed of rotation, a frictional platform secured to rotate with said device, counterbalancing weights loosely carried by said platform to rotate coaxially and individually noncoaxially with said device, and means comprising snap-acting levers to lock said weights in coaxial relation to said device while said device rotates below said critical speed and centrifugal means to release said weights for loose non-coaxial rotation when said device rotates above said critical speed.

11. A machine comprising a rotatable device, means for rotatably accelerating said device. counterbalancing rings loosely carried to rotate coaxially and individually non-coaxially with said device, and speed responsive means to lock said rings in coaxial relationship during the initial stages of acceleration and to release said rings for individual non-coaxial rotation during later stages of acceleration.

12. A machine comprising a rotatable containan 6 tioned means to release said elements for individual non-coaxial rotation during later stages of acceleration.

13. A machine comprising a rotatable device rotatable about a vertical axis, means for rotatably accelerating said device, counterbalancing rings loosely carried to rotate coaxially and individually non-coaxially with said device, and a delayed action structure locking said rings in I REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 198,346 Cairus Dec. 18, 1877 1,754,252 Altorfer Apr. 15, 1930 as 2,361,266 Clark Oct. 24, 1944 2,366,236 Clark Jan. 2, 1945 

